Single bottle interrupter

Abstract

A bi-stable mechanism for a vacuum interrupter. The bi-stable mechanism includes an actuator; and a cam pivotable by the actuator, the cam moving a moveable contact. Wherein a bellows assembly is positioned above a vacuum bottle and coupled to a housing. The bellows assembly includes an outer cylindrical shell surrounding an opening spring, a spring plate, a contact spring, and a bellows. The bellows assembly reciprocates the moveable contact to prevent arcing between a pair of contacts and biasing the pair of contacts apart from each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bi-stable mechanism for a vacuum interrupter, the bi-stable mechanism comprising:
 an actuator; and 
 a cam pivotable by the actuator, the cam moving a moveable contact; 
 wherein a bellows assembly is positioned above a vacuum bottle and coupled to a housing, the bellows assembly including an outer cylindrical shell surrounding an opening spring, a spring plate, a contact spring, and a bellows, the bellows assembly reciprocating the moveable contact to prevent arcing between a pair of contacts and biasing the pair of contacts apart from each other. 
 
     
     
       2. The bi-stable mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum interrupter interrupts a voltage of at least approximately 69 kV. 
     
     
       3. The bi-stable mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is comprised of a polymer epoxy. 
     
     
       4. The bi-stable mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein current flows through the contacts in the closed position. 
     
     
       5. The bi-stable mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a flow of current through the contacts is stopped when the contacts are apart from each other. 
     
     
       6. The bi-stable mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a conductive operating arm. 
     
     
       7. The bi-stable mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a pair of bumpers. 
     
     
       8. The bi-stable mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the cam is a pair of pivotably connected links. 
     
     
       9. A bellows assembly positioned above a vacuum bottle and coupled to a housing of a vacuum interrupter, the bellows assembly comprising:
 an outer cylindrical shell surrounding an opening spring; 
 a spring plate; 
 a contact spring; and 
 a bellows; 
 wherein the bellows assembly reciprocates a moveable contact to prevent arcing between a pair of contacts and biasing the pair of contacts apart from each other. 
 
     
     
       10. The bellows assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the vacuum interrupter interrupts a voltage of at least approximately 69 kV. 
     
     
       11. The bellows assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the housing is comprised of a polymer epoxy. 
     
     
       12. The bellows assembly of  claim 9 , wherein current flows through the contacts in the closed position. 
     
     
       13. The bellows assembly of  claim 9 , wherein a flow of current through the contacts is stopped when the contacts are apart from each other.